scholarly journals Molecules to Mankind: Bridging Laboratory and Population Training

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel M. Burke ◽  
Julie A. Gazmararian ◽  
Nael A. McCarty ◽  
Benjamin L. Rambo-Martin ◽  
Kelly A. Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Central Feature ◽  
Biomedical Sciences ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
Doctoral Level ◽  
Track Record ◽  
Unique Model ◽  
Evolving Model

ABSTRACTAim/PurposeToday’s biomedical researchers are expected to apply understanding of basic biology to improve human health. Meeting this goal requires mastery of both laboratory and population sciences, each of which has its own knowledge base, techniques, and training paradigms.BackgroundEmory University’s “Molecules-to-Mankind” (M2M) doctoral pathway was established in 2009 to be an evolving model of interdisciplinary PhD education. M2M supplements fellows’ home programs, ensuring they receive training in both population and laboratory sciences.MethodologyThe present paper describes the M2M program in detail. Surveys of faculty and fellows were also carried out, and the results are presented herein.ContributionThe M2M program follows a unique model by which doctoral students receive training in both population and laboratory sciences. The present paper describes this model, such that the information can be disseminated to other educational institutions interested in implementing similar programs.FindingsThis unique model facilitates engagement of stakeholders including the fellow’s home program, dissertation advisor, and Emory’s professional schools. Recruited across biomedical PhD and MD/PhD programs, fellows have diverse research experiences and represent “spokes” bound together by the M2M “hub.” This hub’s central feature is a weekly seminar class where fellows and faculty members gather for open discussion with interdisciplinary speakers with successful research careers, emphasizing speakers who have tied laboratory and population sciences in their own work. This forum provides an encouraging environment for dialogue on all aspects of biomedical research from the science itself, to the speaker’s career path, and the logistics of garnering institutional support and building transdisciplinary collaborations. A decade since its inception, M2M has a proven track record of shaping early-stage careers for its 49 alumni to date.Recommendations for PractitionersEngaging trainees outside their home doctoral programs can have positive implications on overall quality of education.Recommendation for ResearchersAs interdisciplinary models grow ever more important in biomedical sciences, it is important to further examine the best teaching methods for training the next generation of scientists.Impact on SocietyInterdisciplinary training at the doctoral level is important to produce future cohorts of engaged and versatile scientific leaders.Future ResearchFuture research should continue to explore novel methods of training graduate students at the doctoral level.

scholarly journals Quantitative Preparation in Doctoral Education Programs: A Mixed-Methods Study of Doctoral Student Perspectives on their Quantitative Training

10.28945/3789 ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 137-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L Ferguson ◽  
Katrina A Hovey ◽  
Robin K Henson
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Curriculum Design ◽  
Student Voice ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Doctoral Education ◽  
Student Perspectives ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Doctoral Level

Aim/Purpose: The purpose of the current study is to explore student perceptions of their own doctoral-level education and quantitative proficiency. Background: The challenges of preparing doctoral students in education have been discussed in the literature, but largely from the perspective of university faculty and program administrators. The current study directly explores the student voice on this issue. Methodology: Utilizing a sequential explanatory mixed-methods research design, the present study seeks to better understand doctoral-level education students’ perceptions of their quantitative methods training at a large public university in the southwestern United States. Findings: Results from both phases present the need for more application and consistency in doctoral-level quantitative courses. Additionally, there was a consistent theme of internal motivation in the responses, suggesting students perceive their quantitative training to be valuable beyond their personal interest in the topic. Recommendations for Practitioners: Quantitative methods instructors should emphasize practice in their quantitative courses and consider providing additional support for students through the inclusion of lab sections, tutoring, and/or differentiation. Pre-testing statistical ability at the start of a course is also suggested to better meet student needs. Impact on Society: The ultimate goal of quantitative methods in doctoral education is to produce high-quality educational researchers who are prepared to apply their knowledge to problems and research in education. Results of the present study can inform faculty and administrator decisions in doctoral education to best support this goal. Future Research: Using the student perspectives presented in the present study, future researchers should continue to explore effective instructional strategies and curriculum design within education doctoral programs. The inclusion of student voice can strengthen and guide future work in this area.

scholarly journals Hyperinsulinemia and Its Pivotal Role in Aging, Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 7797
Author(s):  
Joseph A. M. J. L. Janssen
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Insulin Secretion ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Insulin Clearance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Hepatic Insulin Clearance

For many years, the dogma has been that insulin resistance precedes the development of hyperinsulinemia. However, recent data suggest a reverse order and place hyperinsulinemia mechanistically upstream of insulin resistance. Genetic background, consumption of the “modern” Western diet and over-nutrition may increase insulin secretion, decrease insulin pulses and/or reduce hepatic insulin clearance, thereby causing hyperinsulinemia. Hyperinsulinemia disturbs the balance of the insulin–GH–IGF axis and shifts the insulin : GH ratio towards insulin and away from GH. This insulin–GH shift promotes energy storage and lipid synthesis and hinders lipid breakdown, resulting in obesity due to higher fat accumulation and lower energy expenditure. Hyperinsulinemia is an important etiological factor in the development of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and premature mortality. It has been further hypothesized that nutritionally driven insulin exposure controls the rate of mammalian aging. Interventions that normalize/reduce plasma insulin concentrations might play a key role in the prevention and treatment of age-related decline, obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Caloric restriction, increasing hepatic insulin clearance and maximizing insulin sensitivity are at present the three main strategies available for managing hyperinsulinemia. This may slow down age-related physiological decline and prevent age-related diseases. Drugs that reduce insulin (hyper) secretion, normalize pulsatile insulin secretion and/or increase hepatic insulin clearance may also have the potential to prevent or delay the progression of hyperinsulinemia-mediated diseases. Future research should focus on new strategies to minimize hyperinsulinemia at an early stage, aiming at successfully preventing and treating hyperinsulinemia-mediated diseases.

scholarly journals Assessment of Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences: A Meeting Report

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Corwin Auchincloss ◽  
Sandra L. Laursen ◽  
Janet L. Branchaw ◽  
Kevin Eagan ◽  
Mark Graham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Biology Education ◽  
Operational Definition ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Meeting Report ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
Undergraduate Research Experiences ◽  
Foundation Program ◽  
Definition Of

The Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences Network (CUREnet) was initiated in 2012 with funding from the National Science Foundation program for Research Coordination Networks in Undergraduate Biology Education. CUREnet aims to address topics, problems, and opportunities inherent to integrating research experiences into undergraduate courses. During CUREnet meetings and discussions, it became apparent that there is need for a clear definition of what constitutes a CURE and systematic exploration of what makes CUREs meaningful in terms of student learning. Thus, we assembled a small working group of people with expertise in CURE instruction and assessment to: 1) draft an operational definition of a CURE, with the aim of defining what makes a laboratory course or project a “research experience”; 2) summarize research on CUREs, as well as findings from studies of undergraduate research internships that would be useful for thinking about how students are influenced by participating in CUREs; and 3) identify areas of greatest need with respect to CURE assessment, and directions for future research on and evaluation of CUREs. This report summarizes the outcomes and recommendations of this meeting.

CRISPR/Cas9 has introduced new gene therapy possibilities for muscular dystrophies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moataz Dowaidar
Keyword(s):  
Satellite Cells ◽  
Muscular Dystrophies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Published Data ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Track Record ◽  
Effective Homology ◽  
Vector Targeting ◽  
Shape Of Nanoparticles

Advancements in using CRISPR/Cas9 have introduced a host of new therapy possibilities for muscular dystrophies (MDs). There is a definite feeling of hope in the industry, but other barriers lay ahead, and they will define the future of MD gene editing. The ambiguity surrounding AAV transduction of satellite cells in vivo must be explained so that, if required, effort may be focused on optimizing vector targeting. Although the satellite cell correction needs are evident, it must be determined experimentally if high muscle turnover has a deleterious effect on CRISPR approaches. Another issue with muscular HDR is its low editing efficiency. Even outside the MD, exogenous, effective DNA integration would open up a slew of new possibilities.Either conventional HDR must be upgraded, or alternative techniques must be developed. The fact that both myotubes and latent satellite cells are post-mitotic means the latter are the most effective. Homology-independent targeted integration (HITI), homology-mediated end joining (HMEJ) and prime editing are three novel potentials. Duplication removal is another technique to restore full-length proteins. Duplications are the second most frequent DMD mutation, and a single sgRNA technique was used to restore dystrophin. To date, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated duplication removal has only been evaluated in DMD patient cells and must be tested in vivo. Because of their demonstrated track record in in vivo research and clinical trials, AAVs are expected to be employed in early generations of MD CRISPR therapy. Currently, AAVs may be the biggest choice, but future drugs will almost probably require a different delivery approach. It may take the shape of nanoparticles, which may carry a large range of transiently expressed payloads, while being very variable. If satellite cells can not be repaired, their capacity to escape immune reactions is crucial. To decrease the effects of muscle turnover, re-administration of nanoparticles may be utilized to treat MD throughout one's life. However, effective nanoparticle dosing for CRISPR in vivo editing has yet to be established in the muscle. Because this was not an AAV problem, the focus should be on new compositions of nanoparticles rather than improving the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The lack of published data suggests that nanoparticles' systemic muscle transport remains a considerable challenge. Due to muscle volume in the human body and the need to target muscles within the thoracic cavity, local intramuscular injections are not practical. Future research will focus primarily on developing an effective, muscle-specific nanoparticle that can be administered through circulation. The challenges ahead are tremendous, but with the appropriate focus and resources, answers will emerge, bringing therapeutic genome editing closer to the clinic than ever. While this research focused on DMD, the mentioned principles and methodology may and will undoubtedly be extended to several other MDs.

scholarly journals The development of doctoral degree curriculum in England: Perspectives from professional doctoral degree graduates

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Miguel Dos Santos ◽  
Ho Fai Lo
Keyword(s):  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Career Counseling ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Life Experience ◽  
Doctoral Degree ◽  
University Administrators ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Doctoral Level ◽  
Professional Doctorate ◽  
The Rich

The paper investigates two issues surrounding the field of higher education leadership, particularly in doctoral education, namely the reasons why potential doctoral students decided to enroll in a professional doctorate instead of a traditional Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and how did professional doctorate status enhance its graduates’ professional development and career promotion.  Guided by the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), 20 professional doctorate graduates who are members of a professional association in London were invited as participants. The paper discovers that in the view of professional doctorate graduates, the program offers the flexibility for professionals to enjoy the rigorous education at doctoral level.  Second, the curriculum of the professional doctorate allows graduates to apply both theories and practical applications into their current workplace directly.  Third, the rich supports from lecturers enhancing the prosperity of professional doctorate graduates’ life experience.  This study provides solid evidence and recommendation for university administrators, policy makers, organizational employers, and potential doctoral students in the United Kingdom and other Anglophone countries to understand the learning outcomes and gained skills of professional doctorates. Keywords: career counseling; doctoral student experience; professional doctorate; qualitative

Attracting doctoral students: case of Baltic universities

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 1017-1041
Author(s):  
Alexander Tarvid
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Doctoral Degree ◽  
Access To Higher Education ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Doctoral Level ◽  
Baltic Countries ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Doctoral Programmes

Purpose In the context of falling demand for higher education and, in particular, doctoral studies, it is important to understand how to attract new students. The purpose of this paper is to present an analysis of the decision-making process the PhD students of Baltic universities followed when choosing whether to continue their education at doctoral level and in which institution to do it. Design/methodology/approach It uses the data gathered in 2014 from all major Baltic universities providing access to higher education at doctoral level. Findings At macro-level, the three Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) are rather different in the supply of doctoral programmes and the level and dynamics of the popularity of doctoral-level studies in the population. Besides, strong country-specific effects on the goals students pursued when they enrolled in a doctoral programme and the information about the university or the programme they found useful are observed at micro-level. The main result is related to systematic differences in the perceptions students have about the benefits they will get from a doctoral degree across the current (at doctoral level) and previous (at Bachelor’s and Master’s levels) fields of study, as well as depending on labour-market experience and family and social circle. Practical implications These findings suggest that Baltic higher education institutions should employ different marketing communication strategies when attracting new doctoral students, depending on the field of study and the country they operate in. Originality/value This is the first comprehensive study on the motivation of enrolment at doctoral level in the Baltic countries. It gives the management of Baltic universities a general picture of the motivation to get a PhD degree and factors affecting the choice of university, which can be readily incorporated into universities’ strategy.

scholarly journals Mobile three-dimensional visualisation technologies for clinician-led fall prevention assessments

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 788-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Hamm ◽  
Arthur G Money ◽  
Anita Atwal ◽  
Gheorghita Ghinea
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Dimensional Measurement ◽  
Fall Risk Factors ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
Process Guidance ◽  
Three Dimensional Measurement

The assistive equipment provision process is routinely carried out with patients to mitigate fall risk factors via the fitment of assistive equipment within the home. However, currently, over 50% of assistive equipment is abandoned by the patients due to poor fit between the patient and the assistive equipment. This paper explores clinician perceptions of an early stage three-dimensional measurement aid prototype, which provides enhanced assistive equipment provision process guidance to clinicians. Ten occupational therapists trialled the three-dimensional measurement aid prototype application; think-aloud and semi-structured interview data was collected. Usability was measured with the System Usability Scale. Participants scored three-dimensional measurement aid prototype as ‘excellent’ and agreed strongly with items relating to the usability and learnability of the application. The qualitative analysis identified opportunities for improving existing practice, including, improved interpretation/recording measurements; enhanced collaborative practice within the assistive equipment provision process. Future research is needed to determine the clinical utility of this application compared with two-dimensional counterpart paper-based guidance leaflets.

scholarly journals Development and Formative Evaluation of a Low-Fidelity Equine Castration Model for Veterinary Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Katie Sheats ◽  
Megan J. Burke ◽  
James B. Robertson ◽  
Katherine E. Fiebrandt ◽  
Callie A. Fogle
Keyword(s):  
Student Performance ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Formative Evaluation ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Student Survey ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Veterinary Faculty ◽  
Fidelity Model

Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) are units of activity that early-stage professionals perform in the workplace that necessitate simultaneous integration of multiple competencies. EPA #6 requires students to perform a common surgical procedure on a stable patient, including pre-operative and post-operative management. Castration is one of the most common surgeries performed by equine primary care practitioners and is considered an “entry-level competency” for veterinary graduates entering equine private practice, however, to our knowledge there are no equine castration models available for veterinary student education. Therefore, we developed an inexpensive, low-fidelity model of equine field castration and evaluated it using a mixed-methods approach. Two different groups of students, with or without model experience, completed surveys before and after live horse castration. Students who used the model also completed model specific surveys. Videos of the students completing the model were evaluated by at least two different equine veterinary faculty using a 15-point rubric, and inter-rater reliability of the rubric was determined. After completing the model, students reflected on strengths and weaknesses of their performance. From our student survey results, we determined that student attitudes toward the model were mostly positive. Interestingly, there were several student attitudes toward the model that became significantly more favorable after live horse castration. Prior to live horse castration, there was no significant difference in confidence in model vs. no-model groups. Following live horse castration, students who used the model had higher confidence in procedure preparation and hand-ties than students who did not use the model, but they had lower scores for confidence during patient recovery. When reflecting on model castration, students most commonly cited preparation and surgical description as strengths, and ligature placement and hand-ties as weaknesses. Experts provided several suggestions to improve the model, including incorporation of emasculators and the need for better model stabilization. Our findings suggest that both students and veterinary educators feel that this low-fidelity model has educational value. Rubric performance metrics were favorable, but additional steps are needed to improve grading consistency among educators. Future research will determine whether student performance on the model is predictive of competence score during live-horse castration.

scholarly journals Understanding Sampling and Recruitment in Social Work Dissertation Research

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 415-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca G. Mirick ◽  
Ashley Davis ◽  
Stephanie P. Wladkowski
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
Marginalized Populations ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Doctoral Level ◽  
Relational Support ◽  
Central Value ◽  
Dissertation Research ◽  
Study Participants

The field of social work has increasingly focused on improving the quantity and rigor of its research. For many social work doctoral students, their first independent research experience begins with their dissertation, and yet, little is known about the factors that facilitate students’ success during this process. Sample recruitment is one step where significant and unexpected challenges can occur. As social justice is the central value of the profession, social work doctoral students may focus on research with vulnerable or marginalized populations; however, little research has been done that focuses on social work dissertations, samples used, and the process of recruitment. In this study, 215 doctoral-level social work graduates who completed their degree within the past ten years were surveyed about their dissertation research, with a focus on the sampling strategy and recruitment processes. Findings show that students have a wide diversity of experiences with the dissertation process. While 64.6% anticipant challenges around recruitment and sampling, only 54.9% encounter challenges. Less than half (44.7%) of study participants received guidance during this process and most (80.5%) felt the dissertation experience impacted subsequent research, both positively (40.5%) and negatively (9.8%). Based on these findings, doctoral programs are encouraged to increase supports available to dissertating students, particularly those recruiting study participants from vulnerable and marginalized populations. These supports include community connections, skills for obtaining gatekeeper buy-in, and both relational support and advice from dissertation committees and other colleagues. 

scholarly journals Developing a tool to assess technical skills in talented youth table tennis players—a multi-method approach combining professional and scientific literature and coaches’ perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene R. Faber ◽  
Till Koopmann ◽  
Dirk Büsch ◽  
Jörg Schorer
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Technical Skills ◽  
Measurement Properties ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Single Element ◽  
Table Tennis ◽  
Professional Literature ◽  
Tennis Players ◽  
New Instrument

Abstract Background The assessment of technical skills as part of a multidimensional approach for talent identification and development in sports seems promising, especially in a technique-based sport like table tennis. However, current instruments mostly focus on a single element of technical skills, mainly use quantitative outcomes, and/or are not developed for talent purposes. Practice would benefit from a new instrument using a more ecologically valid approach. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify the essential elements of technical skills in young table tennis players and to establish a first tool while using a multi-methods study design including an archive search for professional literature, a systematic search for scientific literature, as well as ten in-depth interviews with expert coaches. Results This approach taken ensured empirical findings to be combined with knowledge and experiences from the practical field and detailed explications by high-level expert coaches. Results for the literature searches yielded 23 professional and 21 scientific articles while data saturation was reached through all ten interviews. The triangulation process resulted in two general (i.e., individuality, interconnection between elements) and five specific (i.e., bat grip, ready position, footwork/body positioning, service, stroke) elements of technical skills in young table tennis players. In addition, criteria for both flawed and excellent executions were identified for each of the five specific elements. Finally, these results were used to create an observation sheet usable for an assessment during competition. Conclusions This study revealed the crucial elements of technical skills that should be taken into account when assessing sport-specific technical skills of youth table tennis players (8–12 years). Moreover, it provided concise descriptions of what is considered to be flawed or excellent executions of technical skills. Based on these findings, a first observation sheet, the Oldenburg observation sheet for Table Tennis Technique (O3T), was created to be used for the assessment of the current technical skill level within a competitive context at the early stage of a table tennis player’s career. Future research should focus on its measurement properties and its value within a multidimensional assessment for talent purposes.

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